Visioning in the Midst of May

In my last blog, I shared why vision boards aren’t just for New Year’s resolutions. They’re invitations, at any time of the year, to pause, re-center, and ask what really matters now. But I also know what month it is: May.

For so many, May is one of the busiest stretches of the year. If you're a parent, you're likely juggling end-of-year school events, graduations, award nights, recitals, and travel plans. Even if you're not, the month carries a strange kind of momentum: longer days, a surge of activity, the push before summer.

Though this is my first May as an empty nester, I still remember what it felt like. The packed calendar. The scattered mind. The feeling that you were sprinting to a finish line while trying to soak it all in. And so, even though I do believe in the power of vision boards (yes, even in spring), I want to say this:

It’s okay if now isn’t the time.
It’s okay if your vision board is sitting half-finished in a corner… or hasn’t even been started yet.
It’s okay if all you can do right now is breathe.

Sometimes, before we make space for visioning, we need to clear a little space in our minds first. That’s why this month, I want to offer you a gentle practice called Leaves on a Stream. It’s a simple, science-backed mindfulness exercise to help you step out of overwhelm and into gentle presence. You can download it HERE.

In this visualization, you sit quietly and imagine placing each thought that arises onto a leaf floating down a stream. There's no need to change the thoughts, just notice them, name them, and let them drift by. It’s a powerful tool for creating distance from racing thoughts without judgment.

This technique comes from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a modern therapeutic approach rooted in psychological flexibility. Research has shown that mindfulness practices like this one can reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and even help quiet the parts of the brain involved in threat detection and rumination (Hölzel et al., 2011; Chiesa & Serretti, 2009).

You can receive the script version as a free gift when you sign up for my newsletter. It’s a little nudge of calm in the current. And when the time is right, whether that’s next week or next month, I’d still love to see your vision board. Email me a photo of it when it’s ready. We’ll be creating a gallery of inspiration from this community… and your vision might just spark something beautiful in someone else.

Until then, give yourself permission to rest.

To catch your breath.
To let May be what it is.

With roots and realness,
Karin

P.S. If you're feeling the pull for a true reset, something deeper than a weekend off, this may also be the perfect time to plan for it. My upcoming retreats are designed as full-bodied pauses for your nervous system and soul. From tropical stillness to mountain air, they offer space to come home to yourself.

Take a look at my current offerings on the Retreats page, and while you're there, check out the free resources I love to share with this community.